Electoral Commission of Zambia has clarified that the amended constitution has no provision for inmates to vote.
ECZ Director Priscillah Isaac said no prisoners, both convicted or on remand cannot be allowed to vote as prisoner voting falls outside the provision of the amended constitution.
Ms. Isaac said the Ministry of Home Affairs will today issue a comprehensive statement on the matter.
She said the Minister’s statement is incorrect and should be dismissed.
She was reacting to Home Affairs Minister Davies Mwila’s recent statement that inmates will be allowed to vote in this August elections as long as they have voters cards.
Earlier today , the opposition FDD has described as illegal and unconstitutional the intentions announced by Home Affairs Minister to allow inmates to vote.
Speaking in an interview FDD Spokesperson Antonio Mwanza said the electoral act is clear on the matter of inmates voting.
“The announcement by the former Minister of Home Affairs, Davies Mwila that inmates with voters cards will be allowed to vote in the forthcoming general elections is illegal, unconstitutional and will not be tolerated.
“The Electoral Act is very clear that inmates/convicts and all those under police custody cannot be allowed to vote in the national elections.
“It is either Mr Mwila is not conversant with the provisions of the law or they deliberately want to mutilate the law to have convicts illegally vote for them,” he said.
He further challenged the ECZ to issue a categorical statement stating their position in the matter.
“We challenge the Electoral Commission of Zambia to issue a categorical statement clearly stating its position on this matter with regards to the provisions of the law,” he said.
If this happens We will see politicians doing campaigns in prisons. Zambia will be the first country to allow criminals in prison to vote
Dickson Jere of Zambia Reports is depressed and has stopped updating his website seeing that PF is really outgoing and also that they haven’t adopted him as Matero MP candidate. He has become quite neutral of late in his reporting but contrary to his counterparts at Tumfweko who are now quite active and quite neutral too, he has resigned to himself and is failing to even update his site. That is what happens when you support every nonsense that the ruling party does just because you want to benefit personally.
WHEN YOU HAVE KAPONYAs as MINISTERS, NOW EX-MINISTER who REALLY HAVE NOT A CLUE AS TO HOW GOVT RUNS, it IS NO SURPRISE WE HAVE MALAWIAN’s COMING TO VOTE – THIS PamaFi GOVT HAS ALREADY CREATED DUAL CITIZENS through Davies Chama as the Min responsible at the Time Including CHAGWA WHO HAS ULTIMATELY & DISMALLY FAILED AT DEFENDING THE CONSTITUTION OF ZAMBIA WHICH THE two SWORE TO UPHOLD & DEFEND – These ARE THE CRIMES WE WILL THROW THEM INTO PRISON FOR – BECAUSE THEY ARE CLEAR CUT – THE EVIDENCE IS THERE!!
Chama wakes up , dreams of some st..u..pid idea, & becoz thinking he is minister – any of his “wet-dreams” can be enacted as law!!
VOTE WISELY 11/8/2016!! Vote ZAMBIA FORWARD!! VOTE UPND!! Vote for a UNITED ZAMBIA!!
#Chagwamustfall!! #PamaFikuyabebele!!
I thank you!!
PF ECZ is fishing all over testing the waters in order to get Zambians accustomed to their manoeuvres so that when the time comes to vote, people are accustomed to their unfair moves and can easily rig if they don’t see danger.
They are a laughing stock are ECZ
Thanks
BB2014
Upnd =to insults from their presidents to the caders. Shame. Forward with insults
IT IS CONFUSION AS USUAL IN THE PF CAMP. INDEED THESE GUYS IN PF HAVE NO DIRECTION. IT IS CHIPAANTEPAANTE INDEED. WHAT ELSE DO WE EXPECT WHEN WE HAVE KAMINAMINSA JAMESON EDGAR CHAKOLWA LUNGU AS OUR REFEREE? WE ALL NEED TO VOTE FOR HH SO THAT WE BRING SANITY BACK INTO OUR COUNTRY. VIVA HH VIVA! ZAMBIA FORWARD WITH UPND.
It is surprising that UPND has confidence that their two business men can win.
Are you sure guys?
I think your supporters are not enough.
UPND has a lot of hope; in fact they more hope than the numbers required to win.
UPND supports, my advice is that it is better to have more voters than hope.
But for you, you seem to have more hope than voters.
Please work on the latter.
Otherwise, HH is not wining and the end of his political career has come.
GBM and Miles Sampa will not adore him the way Canisius and the rest of UPND members do. They are another breed.
The man was misquoted and the media just blew it away. He said “if rights demand that prisoners are given an opportunity to vote then let it be. Government may consider giving them that opportunity. However, this depends on the legal provisions and whether they allow one who is in prison to stand and in this case it does not”. He was reacting to demands from PRISCA.
This statement shows an intention to hear or give an opportunity for those demanding. On the other hand he is also knowledgeable about the fact that the precondition for this to happen depends on the law. Let’s interpret things properly before you start showcasing your ignorance.
I guess ECZ were entertaining the idea. Why did ECZ remain quiet until opposition voiced out?
“For those that have not seen cluelessness in its physical form, just look at Essau Chulu and you would have seen it all,” Mr Kalale said.
This is a very professional organization. I have confidence in you ECZ. What were the Under5 Phucks for No Development saying? Why do they continue to disrespect this independent, professional, impartial institution?
Curse the day Kaponya (HH) was born this evil serpent who betrays his kindred and goes forth preaching Armageddon, havoc and mayhem.
Ba tata muletekanya kwati filya chiba pa kunya. Was it HH who suggested to allow prisoners to vote?
Mr Kudos, why are u insulting an innocent man? IT WAS DAVIES MWILA OF PF AND NOT HH AND UPND who were suggesting that inmates should vote, so direct your insults to the correct person. Learn to read before your utter your emotionally charged sentiments.
It appears that Kudos will have everything to lose when PF goes … What a shame! Kudos does not sleep on HH. Whether it is love or hate only himself knows. What a sad individual, what a waste of life!
Mr Kudos please, show intelligence in your blogs. I’m a pf supporter. The report above say fdd and nothing to do with HH, pls don’t make the remaking people switch parties with your hatred.
PamaFi!!!!!! Changwa must fall! HH aleisa! Mwanya ba kolwe
Kudos knows that the time of his reckoning has come and hence his animosity towards the incoming president–out of a job as best case scenario, incarceration as a very likely scenario for graft and gross misconduct.
There goes impotent ECZ and the foolish Minister of Home Affairs. Priscilla is reacting to Dan Kalale’s observations.
Thanks Danny, though you were a pain in the As**** also at some point.
That former Minister who uttered that rubbish just squeezed in his grade 12 certificate, it needs to be verified. Where on Earth do Prisoners vote?
Now when you have characters of this level of IQ sitting in cabinet meetings, how possible is it for Lungu not to look super intelligent amongst them?
It is global. The opposition should stop misleading the public!
Our able minister said nothing wrong. HH and GBM are to blame for the distortion.
The Minister said “if rights demand that prisoners are given an opportunity to vote then let it be. Government may consider giving them that opportunity. However, this depends on the legal provisions and whether they allow one who is in prison to stand and in this case it does not”.
Former minister.. Kikiki, prisoners have no constiyitional rights to vote.PF is in panicking mode
This is the reason why there is no Cabinet once Parliament is dissolved. These former Ministers are now sabailaling, looking for any votes possible. Next thing you will see Chakolwa pardoning all prisoners in Zambia so that they can vote for him. Watch what happens next! Chakolwa the most incompetent President cannot even plan a party concert at a stadium.
Nothing wrong with ECZ.
It is a TOTALLY CLUELESS PF Home Affairs Minister Davies Mwila that has not read and does not even understand the CONSTITUTION!
THIS IS WHY PF MUST GO 11 AUGUST! Sheer incompetence and ignorance! What an IDDIOT!
The Minister said “if rights demand that prisoners are given an opportunity to vote then let it be. Government may consider giving them that opportunity. However, this depends on the legal provisions and whether they allow one who is in prison to stand and in this case it does not”.
This is what happens when u keep Ministers in their positions illegally. They will use govt resources and machinery to give their Party advantage over other parties. As part of their rigging strategies Mwila wanted all the inmates to vote for Lungu. Illegal Ministers cannot be expected to respect our Constitution and other laws. This is all Lungu’s fault becoz he is keeping these Ministers in their posts to act illegally and in the interest of Lungu. This Is now backfiring. Why is Concourt Not dealing with this issue on an urgent basis? Illegal Ministers are now violating the Constitution under the watch of Concourt. Zambia is an Animal Farm where some Animals are more equal than others.Disgusting!
It is exactly what they are trying to do with the recruitment of teachers. Where are they going to find a budget to pay the new teachers when they can not pay the existing teachers on time……….Trying very hard to buy the votes from the youth. It is only June and July before they kick the bucket. What happened to the recruitment for ZFA and Zambia Army??? On 11th August, vote early in the morning before they generate their violence with the Big Brother flop…….Max and his guns.
You are absolutely spot on….if it wasnt for that former ECZ commissioner posting on his fb page; these empty tins would have gone forward with this silliness – no wonder lazy Lungu is pardoning everyone!!
We’ll leave our homes just to lynch a few thousands of cockroaches. STOP testing us. You’ll see what you’ve never seen before. WE SHALL DEFEND OUR SOVEREIGNTY. WAR IS A TRUE CAUSE FOR PEACE.
No one individual is above the law. Our anger will shake this earth. And then YOU will remember what it is you have done to this country. All we ask for is FREE, FAIR POLLS.
The desperation being exhibited by PF government to remain in power is extremely frightening. PF want to remain in power at all cost. PF can do anything no matter how illegal it is in order to remain in power.
Hold on qwarks! You are the one ones who will come and force Ecz to allow Gbm to vote because the thug will soon be imprisoned.
We have an Attorney Genera, a Solicitor General, Minister of Justice and all those government lawyers..how on earth did Davies make such a stu.pid statement without first havingnto consult these lawyers???This country bane is on autopilot and this debacle is testimony in itself.
That’s how PF operates. Look at the PF Constitution fiasco where they voted themselves out of Parliament because they do not have Grade 12 certificates. These bakaponya do not read anything, especially if it is written in English.
#ChagwaMustFall
#PFmustGo
#PF Zwaa!
“The announcement by the former Minister of Home Affairs, Davies Mwila that inmates with voters cards will be allowed to vote in the forthcoming general elections is illegal, unconstitutional and will not be tolerated.
So GBM won’t vote even for himself in the event that he’s convicted over the alleged serious offences he’s facing…
Antonio Mwanza thinks been loudmouthed & spokesperson can win him a parliamentary seat in Munali for FDD…
President Lungu is making ECZ’s work very difficult by retaining these Ministers in their posts illegally after Parliament was dissolved on 11th May 2016. These illegal Ministers are acting unconstitutionally because they are not accountable to anybody. Normally Ministers wouldn’t issue statements pertaining to legal matters without clearance from Govt Legal departments. The sooner ConCourt deals with this issue the better otherwise the redundant and illegal Ministers will continue to interfere with the operations of Govt Ministries and their departments. Can’t President Lungu realise the damage that his decision to keep these illegal Ministers is causing in govt operations? These illegal Ministers must be relieved of their posts urgently.
The worst part is we are paying empty suits to act as constitutional judges who are doing absolutely nothing!!
ECZ is really a sham………..like like ECL.
Just like ECL……..completely useless…………….
Zakeyo, GBM was facing ECL made case, GBM has not committed any crime. ECL will taste jail , wait. The fat criminal is ECL, rigging won’t work so most of these people in PF will be caged
Such an unintelligent statement should not have been made in the first place by the former Min. of Home Affairs. Surely if he did not want to consult with Govt lawyers, he should have discussed the proposal with fellow former cabinet ministers in their illegal cabinet meeting before issuing such a statement. “The announcement by the former Minister of Home Affairs, Davies Mwila that inmates with voters cards will be allowed to vote in the forthcoming general elections is illegal, unconstitutional and will not be tolerated” said Ms Isaacs. Former Honourable, you should not be tolerated!!!
He discussed it with lungu and others in PF, they were just checking if they can squeeze some more votes.
Now on is true PF have given regards to forigners to vote. They are too desperado
So, Dan Kalale was right
When Dan issued the statement this is what what Senior Citizen and Katondo had to say. I really do not respond to these guys but they are really do not make sense. Read what they posted when Dan Kalele issues a statement and I do not know what they will say now.
Katondo boys
No news here
August 11 vote PF ( Edgar )
I thank you
When Dan issued the statement this is what Senior Citizen and Katondo had to say. I really do not respond to these guys but they really do not make sense. Read what they posted when Dan Kalele issued a statement and I do not know what they will say now.
Mr Kudos
Commrade @Katondo boys giving the UPND Under 5s sleepless nights..
Keep it up Kudos!
When Dan issued the statement this is what Senior Citizen and Katondo had to say. I really do not respond to these guys but they really do not make sense. Read what they posted when Dan Kalale issued a statement and I do not know what they will say now.
Senior Citizen
These sacracigious attacks on the Honorable Justice Chula and a constitutionally mandate independent electoral body he Chairs, are poorly designed and executed schemes aimed at fueling anarchy to force a Government of national unity in view of an eminent defeat. Now even crooks in the likes of Dan Kalale are useful motormouth ka. How can such a scheme win credibility even if some issues raised are of solid constitutional argunent?
We have never seen a disorganised govt in the history of the country. How can a full cabinet minister issue full statement on something that is false. PF govt never read new constitution. Focused only at the close of grade 12 certificate as they wanted to fix GBM. Now things are back firing. Simbyakula could not stand as MP yet he is the one who changed into the new constitution that one cannot be nominated through a proxy. The circus continues and Kambwili wanted to be clever by bribing potential opponent and yet was caught napping.
Senior Citizen
The debate should be based on the new constitution than personal opinion period. If those class of Zambians are protected by the same cinstitution, who are we to outlaw the constitution clause? This is why the constitution court has been set up. Take the matter there for interpretation. We can learn from the State of Virginia how they have handled a similar issue following the state Governor’s announcement.
PF govt should admit. They are in disarray. Two months is too short for them to regoup. Rupiah Banda destroyed MMD and now it will be PF. Sad indeed.
Senior Citizen- who is a criminal between Kalale and your minister who issued a directive to the Electoral Commission of Zambia as alleged in your statement above? Answer please if you have a conscious.
I do not hate Edgar Lungu but every passing day it is clear that he is surrounded by very unintelligent people. Ngosa Simbyakula, John Phiri and now Davies Mwila. Surely you can pick a better class of friends!
Sata was right when he said that his Cabinet was full of ifipuba.
does this mean Mr Mwila did not read or consult before issuing such an alarming statement?
The ex-minister was inadvertedly referring to one of the PF’s rigging strategy, i.e. allowing prisoners to vote. This was a slip of the tongue to disclose secret strategies that unfortunately spilled into the public domain.
The opposition should watch for votes being counted from the Prisons Constituency.
This is the more reason why these douche bags, good for nothing should have been arrested for occupying the office of minister illegally.
UPND has lost these elections believe you me. I just hope many of them will not die of high blood pressures as it happened to Request Muntanga who had a stroke when he learnt that he wasnt adopted. Am sure many chaps in UPND are die on 13th August.
Majority of these armchair critics have no clue on the amount of work PF has done for the people, so be ready as the results of ECL getting over 60% get confirmed. I pity these Ng’ombe Ilede guys honestly. Moreover, how on earth can Kachema choose Fat Albert as a running mate under the new constitution? Where were the advisers to the Under 5? Do the know the implications of choosing a guy of GBM calibre to be a running mate where the president cant fire or drop such a person?
ECL took all these factors into consideration when choosing his…
That means ECL is a coward
contd
ECL took all these factors into consideration when choosing his running mate, and I see already GBM and cartel scheming ways and means to dethrone HH and take over UPND after HH impending defeat in August.
I have seen desperation of the worst order from HH and GBM in Luanshya today . In Panic mode after seeing how solid PF is on the Copperbelt, they Scheduled a Rally in Luanshya today which has flopped miserably. Now they are telling Marketeers to display the UPND material in exchange of K3500. To the Marketeers get the money and come Wednesday there wont be any UPND Chitenges in corridors. We are not interested in Blood Money. But we will do a Dochi Kubeba. Bring the Cash.
A donchi kubeba will be perfect. GBM has pumped more money into the bottomless pit. Teach them the same lessons as in 2011 and 2015, and then as usual they will conveniently blame it on rigging.
Ms. Isaac said the Ministry of Home Affairs will today issue a comprehensive statement on the matter.This statement tells me that;She Priscilla sat with mwila and others to plan rigging and Mwila was just too over excited with what the PF & ECZ agreed upon and blew it off.Prisoners to vote is actually a real plan by the PF.They ve set everything already,dont be comforted by this gekko(Priscilla Isaac)’s words that Prisoners wont vote.She is just saying this to hide the plan that is there & running already.Prisoners will vote,they ll take the ballot papers to them cos the Prisons boss works for Lungu,and thats why Lungu is building them houses.WAKE UP!
Priscilla Isaac has allowed the major rigging(Importation of ballot papers from dubai)to take place,she has allowed malawians to vote,she has refused cellphones in ballot box so you dont take a pic evidence that you voted for HH,she has long been bought by Lungu.And by the way the minister she is reffering to is illegal.Her and Essau are so dirty right now that not even moses can deliver them to jerusalem.Dont worry people,we will know about all the rigging plans,because these PF minions when they get drunk they just bubble,frequent clubs & bars thats where these bums spend most of their time,they ll be telling us one by one all there rigging plans.Just sit back and enjoy your coffee for now…..
The Minister said “if rights demand that prisoners are given an opportunity to vote then let it be. Government may consider giving them that opportunity. However, this depends on the legal provisions and whether they allow one who is in prison to stand and in this case it does not”. Opposition are desperate liars!!!
Nikambeko you are such a fool,use your common sense,where did you see prisoners voting on this planet.Are you mad?
If thats the case,then let the mad people at chainama vote too.Let all the patients at UTH vote in there beds too.Let the all poachers in Luangwa and Kafue national parks vote,Let all House breakers mukomboni vote too.Ndiwe chipuba iwe chi Nikambeko.Give your brains to somebody who can think than waste them in you and Doctor shd put kachasu where he removed the brains.
I like the conversation on the August 11 Elections in Zambia. You are being followed beyond the borders of Zambia. I am your neighbour in Dar es Salaam. But, If I may ask you to refrain from insults for man is meant for wisdom and must endevour to practice it ! Otherwise, most of your discussions are very much pro-Electoral democracy. Congratulations !!!!
We have a dangerous and draconian Cyber crimes Law that would have lend you in remand by now for what you said here. But we hate the legislation since expression is a guaranteed right domestically and internationally !
But Mutale @1.8 has clarified the matter. He has quoted what Minister Mwila said and the context of his statement. So what is there to ysp anout, bushe ba UPND cadre do you read? Must you always yap about and fart about with your mouths over just rumours? Obviously you are disppointed with the clarification. As for FDD Antonio Mwanza and Danny Kalale, so you are also dunderheads too, farting from your mouths? Why would ECZ be responding to things that were clearly not spoken by Mr Mwila? Of course now that you have asked Priscilla Isaacs my sister has answered you but she must be thinking the same as me wondering thst a country can havr so.many dunderheads who are tok lazy to read before they fart with their mouths.
Munasheko ifisushi ba UPND naba FDD. Musungeko fimbi ifisishi pantu muka fifwaya pa 12 August.